Several former Tar Heels set to play in NFL Playoffs
Starting in just two days, there’ll be a lot of smiles and broken hearts.
No, we’re not talking about weddings and breakups. We’re talking about the NFL Playoffs.
The San Francisco 49ers are looking to win their first Super Bowl since 1994, with 2024 their best chance to do so, thanks to a pair of MVP candidates in Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey.
The Cleveland Browns have defied all injury odds, winning four December games to put themselves in the AFC’s top Wild Card spot, by playing top-notch defense and bringing in Joe Flacco behind a banged-up offensive line.
UNC football fans should also be excited about the NFL postseason, with six former Tar Heels set to take the field. This should offer the Carolina faithful some much-needed relief, with the college campaign not ending so well.
You might want to know – which Tar Heels will be suiting up in pursuit of a Super Bowl? There’s one name you might be able to guess (former second overall pick), but you’ll have to read the full list below for more names.
Mitch Trubisky
Oh, where do we begin with Mitch Trubisky?
The former UNC quarterback, who only started for one full season (2016), was taken second overall by the Chicago Bears in 2017. He showed promise in his NFL “Sophomore Year,” leading Chicago to the playoffs, but has struggled to maintain that same production since.
Trubisky has bounced around since the Bears decided to move on from him after his rookie deal – spending one season backing up Josh Allen in Buffalo, then being brought in to compete for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ starting job.
Trubisky started earlier this year, taking over for the injured Kenny Pickett. But since head coach Mike Tomlin benched Trubisky for now-starter Mason Rudolph, Pittsburgh is a perfect 3-0.
We likely won’t see Trubisky play this weekend, expect for a couple trick plays or if Rudolph goes down.
Charlie Heck
C.J. Stroud is the main reason the Houston Texans are playing postseason football for the first time in four years.
He wouldn’t be able to produce at his dominant level, which has him first among all rookies in passing yards, without the help of his offensive line.
One of Stroud’s O-lineman is former UNC standout Charlie Heck, Houston’s starting right tackle who earned Second Team All-ACC Honors.
Heck will be tasked with slowing down the Cleveland Browns’ league-leading defense, which includes Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Garrett and Za’Darius Smith.
Cole Holcomb (INJURED RESERVE)
When Cole Holcomb was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency this year, he immediately stepped into a starting linebacker role.
He was among Pittsburgh’s leaders in tackles, recording a season-high 10 in an Oct. 29 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He brought a swagger and energy to the Steelers’ defense, which kept them in games when the offense largely struggled.
Unfortunately, Holcomb suffered a gruesome, season-ending injury during the Steelers’ Nov. 2 win against the Tennessee Titans. Pittsburgh will be traveling to cold, snowy Buffalo to face the red-hot Bills, trying to win a crucial game without one of their starters.
M.J. Stewart
M.J. Stewart, one of the few standout defensive players to come out of UNC in recent years, also sustained a season-ending injury earlier this season.
Stewart graduated – in 2017 – as Carolina’s all-time leader in pass breakups. He played cornerback in college, but is an NFL safety
Stewart only played in four regular-season games this year. His best performance came in Week Two, with 10 tackles and a forced fumble against the Indianapolis Colts.
Stewart played an integral part in the Cleveland Browns’ 2020 playoff victory, intercepting a Ben Roethlisberger pass and leading Cleveland with 10 tackles.
Though he won’t be playing Saturday, he’ll now be trying to help his Texans teammates nab a victory of their own.
Antoine Green
If you remember Antoine Green, he was part of the deadly UNC receiving duo with Josh Downs in 2022.
Green caught 43 passes for 798 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022, giving former quarterback Drake Maye one of many talented pass-catchers to work with.
He’s now a wide receiver for the Detroit Lions and – while he played sparingly this year – he has a chance to be an unlikely hero on Sunday night.
Detroit will host its first-ever playoff game at Ford Field, in a matchup that is highlighted by the Jared Goff-Matthew Stafford face-off.
If you want to watch Green and the Lions try for a historic victory, turn your TVs to NBC on Sunday night at 8:15 p.m. ET.
Asim Richards
